Betaine Increases the Butyrylcholinesterase Activity in Rat Plasma

Assessment of hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut (Juglans regia) seed coat extract and modulates some metabolic enzymes activity in triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in rat kidney, liver, and heart

Atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment are both influenced by hyperlipidemia. Due to their high margin of safety and low cost, natural chemicals have recently attracted particular attention in the context of the treatment of disease. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible amendatory impact of ethanol extract walnut (Juglans regia) seed coat (E-WSC) on some metabolic enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), aldose reductase (AR), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)) activity in the liver, kidney, and heart of rats with Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia. Rats were divided into five groups: control group, HL-Control group (Triton WR-1339 400 mg/kg, i.p administered group), E- WSC + 150 (150 mg/kg,o.d given group), E- WSC + 300 (E- WSC 300 mg/kg, o.d given group) and HL+ E-WSC + 300 (Group receiving E- WSC 300 mg/kg, o.d 30 min prior to administration of Triton WR-1339 400 mg/kg, i.p). In HL-Control, AR, SDH, and BChE enzyme activity was significantly increased in all tissues compared to the control, while the activity of other studied enzymes was significantly decreased. The effects of hyperlipidemia on balance were improved and alterations in the activity of the investigated metabolic enzymes were prevented by E-WSC. As a result, promising natural compounds that can be used as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cognitive disorders and hyperlipidemia may be found in E-WSC powder.

The anti-diabetic potential of betaine. Mechanisms of action in rodent models of type 2 diabetes

Betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is an amino-acid derivative exerting numerous beneficial effects on the organism. This compound is found in human and animal diets but is also endogenously generated. However, its synthesis may be insufficient to maintain or improve health. Moreover, the tissue content of betaine reduces under some pathological conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. This decrease may be, however, easily alleviated by dietary betaine supplementation. Rodent studies provided evidence that betaine effectively limits many diabetes-related disturbances. Betaine therapy improves glucose tolerance and insulin action, which is strongly associated with changes in insulin-sensitive tissues, such as skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver. Betaine supplementation positively affects multiple genes, which expression is dysregulated in diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase is thought to play a central role in the mechanism underlying the anti-diabetic betaine action. Moreover, studies with animal models of type 2 diabetes have shown that betaine exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, and also alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress. These changes contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood glucose clearance. The results of animal studies encourage the exploration of the therapeutic betaine efficacy in humans with type 2 diabetes.

21-Day dermal exposure to aircraft engine oils: effects on esterase activities in brain and liver tissues, blood, plasma, and clinical chemistry parameters for Sprague Dawley rats

This dermal study tested the potential toxicity of grade 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) organophosphate-containing aircraft engine oils in both new (G3-N, G4-N) and used states (G3-U, G4-U) to alter esterase activities in blood, brain and liver tissues, clinical chemistry parameters, and electrophysiology of hippocampal neurons. A 300 µl volume of undiluted oil was applied in Hill Top Chamber Systems®, then attached to fur-free test sites on backs of male and female Sprague Dawley rats for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 21 days. Recovery rats received similar treatments and kept for 14 days post-exposure to screen for reversibility, persistence, or delayed occurrence of toxicity. In brain, both versions of G3 and G4 significantly decreased (32-41%) female acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity while in males only G3-N and G4-N reduced (33%) AChE activity. Oils did not markedly affect AChE in liver, regardless of gender. In whole blood, G3-U decreased female AChE (29%) which persisted during recovery (32%). G4-N significantly lowered (29%) butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in male plasma, but this effect was resolved during recovery. For clinical chemistry indices, only globulin levels in female plasma significantly increased following G3-N or G4-N exposure. Preliminary electrophysiology data suggested that effects of both versions of G3 and G4 on hippocampal function may be gender dependent. Aircraft maintenance workers may be at risk if precautions are not taken to minimize long-term aircraft oil exposure.